Nikkormat FTn!

brachal

brachal

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I'm very excited. My father's old Nikkormat is having its meter repaired, and should be on its way back to me soon. I haven't used it much because of the bad meter, but I'm really looking forward to getting to know this camera. It's got a lot of sentimental value as well ... Dad bought it to take pictures of me in 1968, right before I was born.

I've got the original 50mm f/1.4 that came with the camera and a late, non-ai 43-86 zoom. If anybody would like to make lens recommendations (I think I'd like a 35mm), or share some Nikkormat stories, please do! :)
 
I stiill have my late 60s vintage Nikomat (what the Nikkormat was named in Japan where mine was bought).

The meter on mine needed repair too but it was something simple and done by a local guy.

Probably my favorite lens was the 43-86 zoom.

I used the camera (and a meterless Nikon F) in the late 60s and early 70s while in HS and college. I never really used it much since. Today it sits in my little museum of old cameras that I don't use anymore.

But it is a gem. And a special part of my personal camera lore.
 
My first Nikon was a Nikkormat FT-2. I still have it.

LENSES:
1) 35mm F2 Nikkor-O or Nikkor-OC.
2) 24mm F2.8 Nikkor-NC
3) 105mm F2.5 Nikkor, ANY Nikkor-P, Nikkor-PC
4) 180/2.8 Nikkor-P

Long Zoom:
80~200 F4.5

All of these were first rate, and cost a fraction of their origical price. The 80~200 Zoom is as good as the 200/4 fixed focal length lens.

Be careful of using "B" and advancing the film. Be careful not to partially depress the release and advance it. I've seen some lock up due to that.
 
Now we're talkin cameras!...my two FT2's have been with me since the early seventies, done many weddings, portraits and travel, and have never been opened up, or had any of this regular CLA nonsense!. Cameras have come and gone, but these two will be around while I am. The 105mm f2.5 is my favourite lens for 'em, it works really nice on digital too!, and for me the best 50mm ( tho not the fastest ) is the f2. Lots of raving here about Leica build quality, but IMHO - an FT2 easily stands comparison!.
Dave.
 
If you are looking for lenses the 35/2, 24/2.8 and 85/1.8 are good choices and cheap too in non ai form.

Bob
 
I still have my Nikkormat FTN from 1972. Awesome. Built like a tank. I love that the meter readout is both in the viewfinder and on the top plate. Still have the 50mm/f1.4 that came with it. Never has needed repair.
 
I picked up one of these about 10 years back for a song in a second hand store - way less than for the value of the 50mm f1.4 that it came with. Built like a brick outhouse and handsome to boot this is a fine camera and fun to use. Only problem is that having this camera has encouraged me to continue buying pre AI lenses which I have regretted a little when I bought a D200 recently and needed AI or AIS lenses. Never mind. Its a fun SLR to own.
 
peterm1 said:
I picked up one of these about 10 years back for a song in a second hand store - way less than for the value of the 50mm f1.4 that it came with. Built like a brick outhouse and handsome to boot this is a fine camera and fun to use. Only problem is that having this camera has encouraged me to continue buying pre AI lenses which I have regretted a little when I bought a D200 recently and needed AI or AIS lenses. Never mind. Its a fun SLR to own.
Click to expand...
Just get those lenses Ai'D by http://www.aiconversions.com/index.html
 
Still have my FT2. Great, rugged camera. The film counter stopped working once back in the 1970's, but was an inexpensive repair. Only work ever done on it. If you didn't need a motor drive or interchangeable finders, there was no reason to get anything else.
 
Thanks for all of the replies! Lots of good information here. I'm really looking forward to running a few rolls through it when it gets back.
 
My first SLR was an FT2, iwith the 50/2 lens. Sadly, it was stolen a few years ago, but I've since replaced it (many times over). The only downside to the FTn is that setting the film speed can be a fingernail buster -- the FT2 was a real improvement in that regard.

I concur with the lens suggestions offered already, but don't overlook the 135/2.8 or 200/4. The non-AI Nikkors are a real bargain nowadays, but of course AI or AI-converted lenses have the coupling shoe and will work fine also.
 
Bill,

Did you get the meter recalibrated for silver oxide cell? I know the FTn needs a mercury cell for the meter, where the FT2 and FT3 does not require.
 
While the 24/2.8 is pretty much the standard back then it's a bit heavy on distoriton for me. While I like the lens a lot , it's not love, though I still have it. Had the 35/2 non-ai and loved it. The 28/2.8 AIS (close focusing) while not of the same era is perhaps the best Nikkor wide of all time. It will work well on your FTn, it does on mine. The 35/1.4 is great but big and can set you back.

As you have a 50, the 24 is a natural jump as is the 105/2.5 going the other way. I grew up with a 85/1.8 and still to this day love it. My system was a 24/85/200 as I could not afford the 180/2.8 I went with a Vivitar Series-1 200/3 and it work very well for me. While 180 is much bigger than the 200/4, the ED version is much sharper and you can double it for a bit more reach.

As you have the 50, i'd pick up a good 24/2.8 and 105/2.5 and you would have the classic system. Perhaps the old 300/4.5 too if you want a bit more reach.

B2 (;->
 
One of the best, and matching lens you could get for the FTn is the Nikkor-O 35/2, it renders truly lush bokeh!!. And of course the early, non-AI 105/2.5 Nikkor-P.
 
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